Lotus' Quality of Life Initiatives at a Glance

Lotus strives to improve its workers' quality of life by providing them with programs that fit their needs. Here's a summary of some programs.

Children's Center Opened in 1990 at the Cambridge headquarters, the center provides child care for up to 72 children, infant through preschool age. Lotus employees are charged by a sliding fee based on income.

Research and Referral Lotus contracts with Boston-based Work/Family Directions Inc. to provide research-and- referral services for the entire company. In addition to child-care services, it provides sources for elder care and adoption services and offers educational programs.

Job-share Program Lotus has a formal policy on job-sharing. There are no requirements other than management approval.

Summer Camp Program Lotus partners with Camp Fire Girls to offer day camp for its workers' children. Parents can pay for anywhere from one week to all summer.

Lunch-and-Learn Wellness Series Once a month, Lotus offers workers at the Cambridge headquarters speakers on various topics. Past subjects have included AIDS awareness, stress management and advice on how to begin the adoption process.

Tuition Reimbursement Lotus provides employees who work at least 28 hours a week up to $5,250 per year for job-related college classes. It also offers tuition advancement.

Spousal Equivalent Benefits In 1991, Lotus became one of the first large companies in the United States to provide gay and lesbian partners of employees with benefits equal to heterosexual spouses.

Stock-purchase Plans All employees of Lotus and its subsidiaries who work at least 20 hours a week can purchase stock at a discount through wage deductions (a maximum of 10% of salary).

Profit Sharing Employees receive a percentage of operating profits as deferred compensation at year end.

Philanthropy Program Based on employee recommendations, Lotus donates products, money and worker time to non-profit agencies. Since the program was set up in 1985, Lotus has contributed more than $8 million in cash and approximately $16 million in product.

Transitional Employment for Mentally Challenged Workers In partnership with Greater Boston Rehabilitation, Lotus is able to employ between 40 and 110 workers, who have had some type of mental trauma, in its manufacturing plant. The employment at Lotus is a final transitional step to permanent work for most of these people.